title: National Athletic Trainers' Association position statement: prevention of pediatric overuse injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide certified athletic trainers, physicians, and other health care professionals with recommendations on best practices for the prevention of overuse sports injuries in pediatric athletes (aged 6-18 years).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Participation in sports by the pediatric population has grown tremendously over the years. Although the health benefits of participation in competitive and recreational athletic events are numerous, one adverse consequence is sport-related injury. Overuse or repetitive trauma injuries represent approximately 50% of all pediatric sport-related injuries. It is speculated that more than half of these injuries may be preventable with simple approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations are provided based on current evidence regarding pediatric injury surveillance, identification of risk factors for injury, preparticipation physical examinations, proper supervision and education (coaching and medical), sport alterations, training and conditioning programs, and delayed specialization.
authors.affiliation: Athletic Training Program, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ 85206, USA. tmcleod@atsu.edu
authors.forename: Tamara C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Valovich McLeod
authors.forename: Laura C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Decoster
authors.forename: Keith J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Loud
authors.forename: Lyle J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.forename: J Terry
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Michelle A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sandrey
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D012308:Risk Management; D013177:Sports; D013178:Sports Medicine